Car and Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyers in New York and Long Island

Car and Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyers in New York and Long Island

The attorneys at Parker Waichman LLP Law firm are dedicated to representing victims of car, bus, truck and train accidents in New York and Long Island. The area covered by our car accident injury lawyers include Nassau County and Suffolk County in Long Island, and New York, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens in New York.

Long Island Car Accident Lawsuits

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 138 traffic fatalities in Suffolk County in 2010. Nassau had 104 fatal car accidents in 2010, up from 87 in the previous year (an increase of 20 percent).

Certain roadways in Long Island, particularly the Southern State Parkway, have even become notorious for their high rates of auto accidents. In fact, the 10-mile stretch between Exit 17 in Malverne and Exit 32 in South Farmingdale is such a frequent site of deadly car accidents that it has been morbidly nicknamed “Blood Alley.”

According to an article in Newsday, data from the NHTSA shows that the Southern State Parkway Nassau is deadlier than the other state parkways in the county. Newsday reports that there were 15 fatal car accidents on the Southern State in Nassau between 2008 and 2010. This compares to 13 fatal car crashes on the Wantagh Parkway, 8 in the Northern State Parkway and 6 on the Meadowbrook Parkway.

Queens

Richmond

Car Accident Involving Failure to Yield R.O.W.

Many car collisions are caused by failing to yield the right-of-way, which refers to the rules about who gets to go first when two or more cars approach an intersection. The general rule is that when two drivers approach an intersection at the same time, the driver on the left will yield the right-of-way to the driver on the right, allowing them to move forward first. This applies for both uncontrolled and controlled intersections, where there are traffic lights or stop signs. At a T-shaped intersection, the driver who is turning must yield to the cross traffic. Naturally, these rules are put in place to maintain order and safety on the roads. Unfortunately, many drivers will fail to yield the right of way, which can lead to a motor vehicle collision.

NY Auto Accident involving a Pedestrian, Bicycle or Motorcycle

A car crash involving a pedestrian, bicyclist or motorcyclist can be extremely damaging because these parties are much more susceptible to injury. Common driver errors in a car accident with a pedestrian include disregarding a crosswalk, traffic control device or a pedestrian that is already crossing.

For a pedestrian, bicyclist or motorcyclist involved in a car crash, the car is essentially a bulk of metal and glass weighing thousands of pounds; naturally, the potential for injury is catastrophic and often fatal.

According to a document published in March 2012 by the Tri-State Transportation Campaign (www.tstc.org), from 2008 to 2010, 1267 pedestrians were killed by vehicles in the downstate New York, New Jersey and Connecticut region.

Nassau County's SR-24 (Hempstead Turnpike) is the most dangerous road for pedestrians for the fourth year in a row.

Based on pedestrian fatalities, the most dangerous roads for walking in the entire region are

SR-24 (Hempstead Turnpike) in Nassau County,

Upper Broadway in Manhattan, SR-27 (Sunrise Highway) in Suffolk County,

US-130 (Burlington Pike) in Burlington County, and US-1 & 9 in Union County.

Pedestrian fatalities decreased in 2010 in New York and New Jersey, but increased in Connecticut.

Roads that have fallen in ranking since the campaign's initial report include

Automobile accidents can be particularly complicated and/or damaging if it involves a driver who is intoxicated by alcohol or drugs (DUI = Driving Under Influence, and DWI = Driving while intoxicated), an uninsured or underinsured driver, or a teen driver. For this reason, it’s important to contact an attorney in order to discuss the details of your case.

Other major causes of car crashes resulting in a number of injuries and damages include:

Driver negligence, driver fault or driver mistake on the rules of the road, as frequently seen on intersection accidents (running red light or stop sign violation) or on wrong way driving accident

Speeding: The best example are car wrecks caused by excessive speed rate or by reckless driving on highways

Bad weather conditions: Driving too fast on an icy road, or during the rain or snow may cause pile ups traffic accidents or multiple vehicle accidents. Same thing during a fog or in presence of black ice (clear ice) on the road

Road defects or bad road design: A road with an inadequate lane marking or a road design with poor visibility may lead to a number of automobile crashes

Bad vehicle condition or Insufficient Maintenance of the vehicle (motorcycle, car, bus, truck) as seen with accidents caused by defective brakes or tire failure (vehicle factors).

Among a total of 188,061 accidents reported in 2008 by New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, and among 28 human factors recorded, the 7 most frequent causes of car crashes due to human factors are:

Driver inattention / Distraction: 45,439 accidents

Failure to Yield R.O.W: 36,601 accidents

Following too closely: 36,569 accidents

Unsafe Speed: 31,581 accidents

Traffic control disregarded:10,602 accidents

Passing or Lane Usage Improper:10,319 accidents

Unsafe Lane changing: 9,221 accidents.

Drunk Driver in Auto Accident (DUI)

Drunk driving is serious problem in the United States, and causes a large portion of traffic accidents. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, every 48 minutes one death occurs from a drunk driving accident. Drivers under the influence of alcohol accounted for nearly one-third (31 %) of traffic-related deaths in the US in 2010.

Uninsured Driver in Auto Accident

Being the victim of a car accident with an uninsured driver can be complicated, as the other driver may not have the financial means to directly compensate you for your injuries and damages. However, this does not mean that you cannot pursue a lawsuit. Some insurance policies provide coverage for an uninsured motorist. In some cases, you may be able to sue your own insurance company for injuries sustained as a result of a driver without car accident insurance.

Teen Driver in Car Accident

Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death for teens in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 2,700 teenagers between ages 16 and 19 were killed in a car crash in 2010 and nearly 282,000 were treated in emergency rooms for injuries. Teens who are most at risk for being involved in a car crash are:

Male teenagers

Teen driver with teen passengers

Newly licensed teens

Young drivers also tend to be at a higher risk of car accidents due to distracted driving. Various distractions include changing CDs or the radio and cell phone usage such as calls or text messaging. According to CBS News, 1 in every 20 car crashes is linked to using a cell phone.

Bus accident, Truck Accident and related Lawsuits in NY and Long Island

Given their large size, a traffic incident involving a truck can lead to a catastrophic accident. In the case of a truck accident, the truck drivers, their driving records and the maintenance status of their vehicle must conform to both Federal rules and New York State regulation.

Public Transportation is in general considerably a safe alternative to driving, but bus accidents statistics are also a concern for the federal Motor Carrier Safety administration which set up special programs in order to improve the examplarity of bus and truck drivers.

Train Accidents in NY / LI

Motorcycle Accident in NY / LI

Train Accidents

Every year, approximately 1,000 people die in a train accident. A train accident may involve two trains colliding together, a train crashing into a car, or a train colliding with a person. Derailment, where the train comes off of its tracks, is a common cause of train accidents. Derailment may also lead to damage of property since it takes the train off of its determined course.

Car Accident Settlement and Legal Help for New York and Long Island Car Accident Victims

Seek legal help from one of our qualified auto accident injury lawyers before accepting any kind of settlement with an insurance claim. The experienced lawyers at Parker Waichman LLP are dedicated to making sure you receive the compensation you and your family deserve.

Parker Waichman is a leading personal Injury law firm rated 5.0 out of 5 from the respected legal guide Martindale-Hubbel, and listed in Best Lawyers, the oldest and most respected peer review in the legal profession. The accident injury lawyers of our firm are servicing numerous counties in New York and Long Island, including:

NYC

New York

New York City

Manhattan

Suffolk County

Nassau County

Port Washington

Brooklyn

Queens

Staten Island Bronx

Suffolk County

Nassau County

Port Washington

Roslyn

Glen Cove

Oyster Bay

Long Beach

Garden City

Great Neck

North Hempstead

Hempstead

Islip

Babylon

Huntington

Brookhaven

East Hampton

Riverhead

Smithtown

Southampton

Southold

Stony Brook

If you or a loved one were injured in an automobile accident, you may have valuable legal rights. Please fill out our online form or call one of our experienced car accident injury lawyers today at 1(800)-YOURLAWYER (1-800-968-7529).

Car Accidents FAQ

Car Accidents Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do immediately after a car accident?

Call 911 immediately if someone has been injured. Do not leave the scene of the accident, or it will be considered a hit-and-run. Even if nobody has been hurt, you should still contact the police. Be sure to take down the contact information of the other driver and obtain information such as their name, license plate, passenger information and insurance information. When the police arrive, explain how the accident happened but do not admit fault.

Should I seek medical attention even if I’m not injured?

Yes, you should always seek medical help after a car accident because some injuries do not show symptoms right away. Delaying medical attention can pose additional risks to your health, as well as hurt your claim.

When Should I Speak to an Attorney?

As soon as possible; you should contact a car accident lawyer immediately after an accident. As time goes on, valuable evidence can disappear as people’s memory of the incident fades or witnesses become inaccessible.

If my insurance company offers me a settlement, should I take it?

Not without first speaking to a personal injury attorney. Insurance companies will often try to give the minimal amount of settlement in a car accident. Speak with a lawyer in order to obtain the due legal advice and the compensation you deserve.

Mar 25, 2013

At least one pedestrian was struck, and three other people were injured, in a car crash in Glen Head, New York, on Friday morning.The accident happened just before 10 a.m. on Glen Cove Avenue, near the local middle school and high school buildings. Witnesses say a teacher in the school district was hit. Police say he may have been walking from one of the buildings to the other at the time of the accident, ABC Eyewitness News reported. The 28-year-old driver of the car that caused the crash was...

Mar 6, 2013

Officials with NASCAR are planning a safety review after a horrifying crash prior to the annual Daytona 500 race in Florida last weekend.According to a New York Times report, NASCAR President Mike Helton announced that the organization is planning to review the safety catch fence that failed when a crashed car came through it during the Nationwide Series race held the day before the iconic event in Florida.During a late-race crash, portions of the car driven by Kyle Larson were thrown through...

Jan 15, 2013

A Long Island man has been charged with driving while under the influence of drugs and for leaving the scene of several accidents following a police chase Sunday afternoon that left one elderly man dead and an elderly recovering from serious injuries. According to New York Newsday (newsday.com), 46-year-old Thomas Herman is recovering from serious but not life-threatening injuries at nearby Brookhaven Hospital after police say he hit five different vehicles in his attempt to escape a police...

Jan 14, 2013

The Food and Drug Administration warns that people are taking entirely too much of the sleep aid Ambien and it is resulting in an increased number of motor vehicle accidents.
Late last week, according to a New York Times report, the agency warned that women should only be taking about half as much Ambien and other sleep aid drugs that contain the Active Ingredient zolpidem. After compiling several years’ worth of complaints from people saying they felt ...

Dec 20, 2012

1 Dead, 33 Injured in Multi-Vehicle Accident on Long Island Expressway
A multi-vehicle pile-up on the eastbound Long Island Expressway Wednesday afternoon resulted in one fatality and at least 32 other people suffering varying degrees of injuries.
According to an Associated Press report from Shirley, N.Y., the pile-up happened just before 3 p.m. There were multiple vehicles involved in the accident and several of them, including at least one car and one tractor trailer,...

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